Stockton employees recognized for longevity, distinguished service at annual luncheon

On May 25, the Stockton Campus community gathered for a reception honoring more than 100 staff members who were celebrating anniversaries of service from five to 40 years. Two staff members also received the Cavanaugh Distinguished Service Award.

May 30, 2017

At the annual Stockton Staff Years of Service luncheon, more than 100 employees were recognized for their service to the University. Eighteen of them have worked at Pacific for 25 years or more.

At the upper end of that list were Keith Corrington and Joseph Reuterskiold from Pacific Technology, Deborah Crane from the Career Resource Center and Joel Feaver from Support Services celebrating 40 years of service. Suzanne Malley from Financial Aid celebrated 35 years of service, and Melvin Fong of Pacific Technology, Lynn Fox from Financial Aid, Berit Gundersen from the Provost's Office and Lolita Saliot from Support Services celebrated 30 years of service. Together, these 10 employees have given a collective 315 years of service to Pacific.

Also at the luncheon was the presentation to Stockton staff recipients of the inaugural Champions of Diversity and Inclusion Awards. These awards, presented to Pacificans who have gone above and beyond their role to work as proponents of diversity and inclusion, have been presented at various events throughout the academic year. Stockton employees recognized at the luncheon were Betty Flores, financial reporting manager; Joel Lohr, dean of religious life; Colleen Smith, student success specialist; and Danny Nuss, director of the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. See a full list of recipients and profiles here>>

Cavanaugh Distinguished Service Award

Another high point of the Years of Service Luncheon included the announcement of the winners of the Cavanaugh Distinguished Service Award for the Stockton Campus. The annual award, endowed by former Vice President for Business and Finance Pat Cavanaugh and his wife, Janita, recognizes one exempt and one non-exempt staff member each year for their exceptional accomplishments, leadership, innovation and service to the university community or other areas of excellence. In addition to a plaque and an "A" parking pass for the 2017-18 academic year, recipients receive a cash award of $500.

This year's honorees were Patrice Coss from Human Resources and Elisa Anders from Enrollment Management.

Coss implemented the Electronic Personnel Action Form (EPAF) system university-wide, which streamlines the process for hiring, setting up stipends, making job changes, and other personnel-related tasks. These processes were previously processed on paper, requiring multiple steps and routing for approvals, which was more cumbersome and time-consuming.

Those who nominated her cited her warmth, kindness, ability to listen and willingness to help any way she can. She is described as a "go-getter. If there is a problem, she will not let go until she solves it. She likes challenges and steps up as a leader when no one else will."

Anders brings a broad background of Pacific experience to her tasks, having been an undergraduate and graduate student at Pacific and an employee in Development, the School of Engineering and Computer Science, Student Life and Enrollment Management. As the founding director of Summer Session during its move from Center for Professional and Continuing Education to Enrollment Management, she has demonstrated resilience and flexibility in helping to devise and implement protocols, including the implementation of a new faculty compensation policy. Her leadership on the Early Warning and Referral system, from definition through implementation, was described as exceptional. Nominators cited her commitment to doing right by Pacific's students and her diligence in understanding exactly what that means for students based on their identity, prior experience as a learner, and their current strengths and challenges. She was described as "visionary, strategic, intentional and thoughtful individual who consistently leads, mentors, and supports those with whom she works."

Congratulations and thanks to Patrice and Elisa for their accomplishments, collegiality and outstanding service to the university.